The Downtown Mission has made the difficult decision to reduce some of its programming after a $750,000 shortfall in 2019.
The mission raised nearly $3.5 million in 2019 for its operations.
Executive Director Ron Dunn said while they are grateful for the generosity of the community, it is not enough to cover their daily operations. In the last two years, the mission has seen an increase in demand for its services. The number of people accessing the foodbank was up 5 per cent, the number of meals served was up 20 per cent, and the number of people accessing the recovery program was up over 400 per cent.
The mission has had to eliminate its text and chat services at the Distress Centre, reduce its staff at the community dental services and reduce its drop-in hours. Drop-in services will only be available around mealtimes. All other services will be available by appointment.
"It's cost reduction but it's also, in the vein of moving toward a housing-first model. So we'll have drop-in around our mealtime programs but in between, it will be by appointment only," said Dunn.
The mission is moving forward with its move to the former Central Library location. It gets possession of the building at the end of the month. Dunn said they are also farther behind on the capital campaign than they would like to be.
